Automatic mechanism for tramper baling-presses.



S. JOHANSEN.

AUTOMATIC MECHANISM FOR TRAMPER BALING PRESSES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7. 1916.

1,210,324. Patented Dec. 26,1916.

7SHEETSSHEET l.

S JOHANSEN. AUTOMATIC MECHANISM FOR TRAIVIPER BALING PHESSES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, I916.

Patented Dec. 26,1916.

7 SHEETSSHEET 2 S. IOHANSEN. AUTOMATIC MECHANISM FOR TRAMPER BALING PRESSES. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, I916.

1 210.,3M. Patented Dec. 26,1916.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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AUTOMATIC MECHANISM FOR TRAMPER BALING FRESSES. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 1916.

1,210,324. I Patented Dec. 26,1916.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

five/a ar fieverz'zz (707m mien S. JOHANSEN. AUTOMATIC MECHANISM FOR TRAMPEH BALING PRESSES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.7,19I6.

I Patented Dec. 26,1916.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 5- S. JOHANSEN.

AUTOMATIC MECHANISM FOR TRAMPER BALING PRESSES.

' APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7. 1916 1,210,324. Patented Dec. 26,1916.

7 SHEETSSHEET 5.

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S. JOHANSEN.

AUTOMATIC MECHANISM FOR TRAMPER BALING PRESSES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7.1915.

I T11" 5 151; i E39! Patented Dec. 26,1916.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

I ed for baling cotton piii'rrni ry rnnir oi te ion T siivnia iv Jonaivsnm or ATLANTA, cnoiac a AUTOMATIC MECHANISM non mamas canine-rema ns;

Application aiea March 7, 1916. Serial No. 82,742..

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it ifllOWIl that I, SnvniiIN' JOI-IANSEN, citizen of the United States, residing at Atlanta; in the county of Fulton andState of Georgia, have invented new and useful Improveiiients-in Automatic Mechanisms for Trampcr Bailing-Presses, of which tliefollowing is aspeciiicationb This invention relates to baling presses of type particularly adapt,

the power tramper and analogous products. In presses of this type the cotton is fed into theupper end of a press or baling chamber and is forced downwardly into said char bin-bye ,traiiipiiig mechanism. In order tliatthe parts may be automatic in their action provision is made in such presses a trip, apron, there being suitable connections or devices operated by the movement of the apron under the influence ofthe accumulated cotton to open valves or actuate mechanical appliances for releasing or causing the ti'aniper to descend, andthe present invention has in contemplation theuse' of'aj iivoteil or movable apron or gateagainst instead of passing said fluid pressure me which the getlier with a novel form of valve mechanism including trip and restrictive devices as to movementoi certain parts during the time that the trainper is resting at its maximum elevation; also when it has reached its lcvsci'qliiuit of movement, and during its de scent and ascent, the operation or" the sevoral ooi'dinated devices and mechanisms beingpoi-zitive and automatic in their actuation. y

Ti lie principal object of the invention is to provide mechanism in connection with a baling press of the type specified having a lfO operation and automatic action and ng a 'free circulation of the pressure id medium between a pressure generating means and the traniper controlling means diuiii tl rough a trap or release valve under uiaxiiiiiuii pressure, thereby reducing the power required to drive the pressure genersurei iediun acting v for operating the piston connected to the tion of 'sui'e' generating mechanism and the traiiiper controlling means with reduced generating mechanism and the of cotton or.

acijcuinulated cotton may act to feeding devices.

ating'nieans .to a minimum at such times I when a i iaximuinpressure is not necessary or desirable relatively to the fluid medium controlling the descent -aiid ascent oftl e traiiiper. i a V g y p The pressure generating 013-1131111119 means ing press traiiiper mechanism may be of any preferred form and comprise any of usedin connection with the improved bal the vell known automatically" operating a pressure regulating accessories,- andthe-presdirectly inthe cyl nder tramper stemlinay be either of a hydraulic nature, steam or any, capable of"utilization It Will be readily appreciated that the provision of means for eii ecting a free circulai'zllG fluid medium betweentlie prespressure forcev Will "be materially advaii "tageous in decreasing the strain on the several "WOIlKlIIg parts, both of the pressure trolling means, and, furthermore, such provision ivill also result in econoinizing in the power necessary trainper controlling means and thebaling other 'iiiateriah other analogous .fiuid for the same purpose.

tramper conto effectively operate the,

' A preferred embodiment of theinvention in its several phases is". disclosed in the accoinpanyii g drawingsanclthe practical organization thus illustrated will be hereinafter described in detail as to its structure and operation.

In the drawings :Figure, 1 isa perspective view of a portion of a balingbox and a tramper mechanism embodying the features of the invention and showing the trip apron.

or gate partially broken aivayas Well as the circulating pipes for the fluid medium the tram'ier beii'i'o in iosition of startin on its r I, p

downward movement and the mechanism also disposed accordingly. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the improved tramper controlling mechanism showing the cotton supply means or condenser and intermediate feed mechanism in connection therewith; parts of this view being broken 'aivay in horizontal section. FigJS is a tran verse vertical section through the tramper controlling mechanism taken in the plane of the line 3-3, Fig. 1, and showing a portion-of the cottonsupplyiiieans and intermediate Fig. 4 is a longitudinal and illustrated vertical sectiontaken in the plane of the line 4 i, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail transverse vertical section. on an enlarged scale show ing a portion of the bale box, stram rod and automatically operating means for controlling the valve operating mechanism, to,- gether with a portion of the swinging apron and trip leverall operatingasa safety organization fo-r preventing the valve mecha nism from acting while the press box is being shifted when the strain rod is released from the box. Fig. 6 is a detail longitudinal section on an enlarged scale particularly showing the main valve operating mechanism and trip devices together with the means for preventing the valve operating mechanism from operating when the press box is in a certain position. Fig. 7 is a de tail view in sectional elevation, partially broken away, particularly showing'the release lever in full and dotted line positions and a two-way valve to control the circulation of the fluid pressure medium in accord ance with the up and down movements of the tramper or platen member of the latter. Fig. 8 is a section through the valve shown in Fig. 7 taken at right angles to the section of the latter figure. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section through the valve shown by Figs. 7 and 8. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal vertical section of a four-way balance piston valve for controlling the inlet and exhaust of the fluid pressure medium relatively to opposite extremities of the tramper stem piston cylinder, the valve shown by this figure being adapted for liquid pressure medium. Fig. 11 is a similar view of the valve shown by Fig. 10 illustrating the valve as constructed for use with steam.

The numeral 5 designates a press box which is one of the u nal double box constructions and having a swinging movement so that as one box is filled or has a sufficient quantity of cotton or other material pressed thereinto it will be moved or swung from under the tramper mechanism and replaced by another similar empty box. Above the box suitable frame timbers or beams 6 are mounted and are spaced to form an opening 7 therebetween, these timbers operating to support the trainper mechanism and the devices cooperating therewith. On these timbers or frame beams 6 a tramper cylinder 8 is mounted in upright position and is constructed similarly to devices of this kind: and slidingly mounted in the said cylinder is a rod or stem 9 which, as will be understood, is provided with a piston working within the cylinder and whereby pressure applied to opposite points or at the upper and lower extremities of the cylinder will efiect a reverse reciprocating movement of the said rod or stem 9. The rod or stem 9 moves through the open space between the timbers or beams 6 and is attached at its lower end per portion plates wh1ch platen 10 and operates as a der 8, as clearly 7 Moreover,

ber of beam 6is a swinging gate or apron 11 h ving its lower edge normally adjacent ora short distance above the outer side edge of the press box 5, the gate or apron 11 having hanger arms 12 projecting from the uploosely engage and swing on secured to the sald outstanding hooks l t outer beam- 6. The gateor apron such positionat all with the movement of the follower block or trip means when the press box is filled with cotton or other material in a'manner which will be more explalned. On the upper apron 11 ad acent to one I fully hereinafter edge of the gate or of the hanger arms 12 is a metal contact plate 15 which is adapted to be engaged by retention or locking means at intervals.

thereof and provided with eye i times as not to interfere;

Projecting upwardly from the top of the;

follower block or platen 10 is a trip bar 16 having upper and lower trip blocks 17 and 18 fixedlto one side thereof. The trip bar 16 moves regularly with the upward and downward movements of the follower block or tramper 10, and at its upper end the trip block 17 has a contact projection 19 and the lowerblock 18 has an upper contact projection 20. The trip bar 16 is held in and moved through a guide 22 forming part of a clip so which is secured to the cylinshown by Figs. 1 and 2. The trip bar 16 has free movement in this guide but is retained against outward displacement therefrom by inturned ends of the guide, as at 24:, see Fig. 2.

A pipe 25 connects with the head 26 of the cylinder 8, said pipe having therein a coupling 27 and also connected to one of or clamp the ports of a four-way controlling valve 28. A pipe 29 of smaller dimensions than the pipe 25 also connects with another port of the valve 28 and to the base 30 of the cylinder 8. The pipes 25 and 29 alternately operate as the conduit means for supplying and exhausting or liberating the pressure 7 medium, whether of liquid, steam or other gaseous form, relatively to the opposite extremities or the head 26 and base 30 of the cylinder 8. It will be understood that the greatest pressure on the follower block or platen 10 through the rod 9 must be exerted in a downward direction for the reason that such downward movement of the follower block or platen 10 must be forceful enough to effectively tramp the cotton and preliminarily press the same in the press box. the pressure fluid of whatever character used should be admitted rapidly into the head 26 of the cylinder 8 to effect a rapid as well as forceful downward movep and 11 and more ment of thefollower block or platen and therefore the pipe is of larger diameter thanithe pipei29. Theincreased diameter of the pipe 25 also permits a rapid exhaust or relief of the pressure fluicb from, the imperapart of the cylinder 8 when the followerblock or platen 10 rises or ascends to normal position after performing its pressing function, andasthere is noresistance on the follower blockor platenlO during its elevation except that in opposition toa body, rising against force of; gravitas tion, the pipe 29 of less diameter than the pipe 25 will feed or supply, ample pressure iiuidato the base 30 of the cylinder to rapidly elevateor cause an ascent of the follower block or platen. 10. The pipe 29 like the pipe also has a coupling 31 therein.

The four-way valve 28 for controlling the siqiip ly and exhaust of the pressure fluid medium to and fromthe cylinder 8 by way of the pipes and129 embodies a piston 39 having astemor rod;33 projecting longitudinally thi'pugh one end of thevalve, this valvei being shown in detail by Figs. 10

fully hereinafter particularly described. To the endof thevalve28 opposite that from which the piston rod projects, an exhaust pipe 34 is connected, and to the bottom of the valve at an intermediate point another pipe 35l1asattached communication and connects with a, circu lation controlling valve 36. The pipe 35 is connected to the valve 36 through the medium oila pipe 37 which runs sure generator that may be of any suitable construction and constituting the supply conduit between the pressure generator and the valve 28 byway of the pipe 35. The circulation controlling valve 36 is of, atwoway balanced piston valve type and is shown in. detail by Figs. 7, 8 and 9, and at the point opposite to the attachment thereto of the pipe 37 a pipe 38 is connected and also runs back to the pressure generating medium. The pipes 37 and 38 with the valvc36 provitle a circulating circuit for the pressure fluid, medium under certain operative conditions of the improved tramper mechanism; and between the pipe 37 and the pipe is a check valve 39 which has suliicient resistance to prevent the flow of the pressure fluid medium into the pipe 35 when communication is throughthe valve 36between the pipes 37 and 38 or at such times when the follower block or platen 10 has ascended to normal position and is in a state of rest during the intervals that the press box is beingsupplied withcotton or other material. It will be understood, that'the four-way valve 28 is a part of the circulating system but controls the feed of the fluid pressure medium to the tramper cylinder 8, and the circulation through the valve and the pipes 25 and to the p res-' established 29 is only eifective during the reverse movementsof the follower block or platen 10 and its .rodsoastemzf). The exhaust pipe 34efrom the valve 23 returns to the pressure generating medium or pump and gravity action will be exerted thereon suliicient to insure a quick relief of, the fiuidipressure medium from either endiof the tramper cylinder in accordance with the adjustment of the piston32 in the valve 28' through the actuation of: the piston rod 33, which will be hereinafter explained. The valve 36 also hasa piston 39 therein with arod or stem O er (tending upwardly through the top of the valve, the said rod or stem projecting below, the bottom of the valve and having a. spring, ell engaging the same and; located within a cage or support 42 and whereby the tendency of the valve is to operate to a closed position. The upper end of the piston rod all of the valve 36 is connected to one end of an intermediately fulcrumed trip lever 43 arranged against the under side of the timbers 6 and having an adjustable tappet screw 44 in its free end in a position to be struck by the top portion of the follower block or platenlO when the latter risesto its fullheight.

Between the valves 28 and 36 and the tramper cylinder S,follower block or platen 10 and trip bar 16, automatically operating mechanism of comparatively simple form is disposed to actuate the pistons 32and 39 of the said valves i /S and 36, and included in this mechanismis the trip lever l3 heretoforcvdescribed and connected to the upper end of the piston rod of the valve llxtending transvers yly across the timbers or beams 6 is a rock-shaft 45 mounted in suitable bearings: 46 and -17 and having upwardly projecting crank arms 48 and 419. The crank arm a3 is continuous with a de pending rocking lever 50 provided with an outwardly dcl'lectedilower extremity 51 carrying a roller 52 which is so disposed as to ride 0V9. and rest upon the contact plate 15 of the gate or apron 11 and is released from said contact plate by the outward swinging inovementof the gate or apron 11 caused by the cotton filling over the top of the press box and pressing against the said gate or apron, such movement of the gate or apron causing the upper edge thereof to swing outwardly and becomedisplaced from be neath the roller at the lower deflected end 51 of the rocking lever 50. The crank arm l8 is connected to the piston rod or steam of the valve by a bar or elongated link which is pivoted at its opposite ends re spectively to the said crank arm and the end ofthe piston rod or stem The crank arm 4.9 cbnnected to a spring shaft or rod F4, the said shaft or rod being pivotallv en gaged by the upperend of the arm 4-9 at a distance outwardly from the inner free end of said shaft or rod. The outer extremity of the shaft or rod 54: is engaged by a set collar 55, and adjacent to the attached end of the arm 49 to said shaft a similar collar 56 is held on the shaft, and intermediately engaging and movable on the shaft is a sliding box 57. Between the collars 55 and 56 and the opposite ends of the sliding box the shaft or rod 5% has springs 58 and 59 thereon to exert a tension relatively to said shaft or rod in opposite directions. The outer end of the shaft or red 54: is reciprocatingly mounted in a fixed bearing or sleeve 60 held by a bracket 61 on a cross support 62 fixed to the timbers or beams 6 and bridging the space 7 between the latter. The sliding box 57 has a link 63 secured to the upper portion thereof and also to the upstanding elongated arm 6% of a trip bell-crank 65 provided with a shorter arm 66 normally standing approximately in a horizontal plane and terminating in a contact end 67. The fixed hearing or sleeve 60 has a slot extending into the lower portion thereof at about the center of the same, as at 68, said slot being continued. downwardly through the attaching member 69 of the hearing or sleeve, as at 69, and through the base of the bracket 61 and support 62 is an opening 62 communicating with the space between the timbers or beams 6 and the opening 69.

Tivotally mounted on the base of the bracket 61, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, is a lever cut-off or look comprising a lever body 70 intermediately fulcrumed, as at 71, be tween upstanding ears 72 from the base of the bracket 61, a greater portion of the said lever body being in the form of a straight arm 73 on which a counterpoise weight 74 is adjustably mounted. The opposite end of the lever body moves in the slot 68 continuing from the lower portion of the hearing downwardly through the attaching member 69 of the said bearing and terminates in a closure or cut-off plate or flattened ter minal 75 which is so arranged as to close the bore of the bearing or sleeve 60 and limit the movement of the outer extremity of the shaft or rod 54 in the said bearing or sleeve. The slot 68 heretofore specified as continuing through the base of the bracket 61 and the support 62 is in the form of an opening 7 6 in the latter devices, and depending from the lever body into the upper portion of this opening is a lug 77 to which the upper end of a strain rod 7 8 is pivotally connected said rod having a loop or eye 79 at its lower end to engage a hook 80 on the acent end of the press box. When the eye 7 9 of the strain rod 78 is in engagement with the hook 80 of the press box the outer extremity of the lever body 70 including the cut-off plate or closing member 7 5 is drawn downwardly so as to clear the closing plate from the bore of the bearing 60, and when the lever body is drawn into this position the weighted end'at the rear is disposed horizontally and ready to act automatically when the strain rod eye 7 9 is released from the hook 80 to immediately cause the cut-off plate or closing member 75 to be thrown up into and across the bore of the bearing 60 and thus limit the outward movement of the shaft or rod 5& and serve as a safety look at a time when the bale boxes are being shifted or when a filled box has been released from the strain rod 78 and turned into position for completing the bale by other mechanism, and when the empty box has been thrown around into position the strain rod eye 79 is connected to a similar hook 8O thereon and the parts of the mechanism will then be free to perform their normal functions in regard to the operation of the tramper.

A safety attachment is used in 'cooperation with the shaft or rod 54; and consists of a trip dog 81 fulcrumed as at 82 to a de pending portion of the clip or clamp 23 and having its upper edge disposed to engage the lower edge of one end of the guide 22. The trip dog 81 has a weighted end 83 and a free extremity 84: which is normally held in contacting adjacency relatively to the shaft or.rod 54L to operate as a cushion relatively to said shaft end and against the action of the compression springs 58 and 59 on the shaft. The free end 84: of the trip dog 81 is recessed or reduced, as at 85, to form a shoulder 86, the free end of the shaft or rod 5% being adapted to ride over the trip dog into the recess 85 when the said dog is depressed during the descent of the follower block or platen 10, the dog and the shaft end remaining in this position until the follower block or platen ascends and a release is effected or the mechanism again set for an automatic descent operation.

It is preferred that the valve 28, which is of the four-way type, be constructed as shown by Figs. 10 and 11, and the structure of this valve as illustrated by Fig. 10 is to adapt the same for operation with a liquid pressure medium, the said valve embodying, as heretofore explained, a piston 32 with a projecting rod or stem 33 secured thereto and whereby the piston may be shifted in the bore 87 longitudinally formed in the casing 88 and communicating fully at one end with an exhaust outlet or port 89 with which the pipe 34 communicates. The pipe 35 which intersects or is connected to the pipe 37 and attached to the bottom of the valve or casing 88 opens into a cross-way 90 located at about the transverse center of the casing 88, and within this casing are other cross-ways 91 and 92 which are disposed at equal distances from the intermediate or central way 90 and have the pipes 25 and 29 communicating respectively therewith. The piston 82 is tubular or has an La aze opening or borel93. extending fully there through from. end to end, the said opening or bore 93 having an enlarged inletl9 l at the g j curedto the under part of the timbers or is attached The piston 32, .is intermediately' rcr forwardend of the piston or adjacent to the point Where the rod or stem 33, thereto. duced, as at, 95, to provide an annular passage relatively to the wall of the bore 87 and whereby communication may beset up 90-.and either of the ways 91 and 92, and as the valve is shown set in. Fig. 10 the pipe is opened by means of the cross-way 91 to theexhaust outlet and pipe 34., and the pipe 29 is open to receive the pressure liquid frointhe, pipe 35 through tl1ecross ways90 and 92 and theannular passage betweenthe latter \mys provided through the bore 87 by the reduced portion 95 of the piston 32. It is obvious that a reverse position of the piston 32 will close the way 92, relatively to the way90 and open said way 92 to the end or enlarged inlet9l of the opening or bore 93 through the piston to exhaust through the pipe 29 and relieve the bottom of the cylindcrS of pressure liquid and atlthe same time supply the upper end of said cylinder '8 with the pressure liquid in view of the fact that the cross-ways and91 will then i be in communication through the bore 87 and which will be the position of the valve piston when the tramper follower block or platen 10 is forced downwardly or caused to descend. It will be seen that the piston rod or stem 33 slides through a suitable gland or anrdogous device 96 to provide a nonw leakable joint, any preferred form of gland beingused for this purpose. In Fig. 11 the valve 28 is substantially the ture as that shown by Fig. lOandis adaptedforuse with steam, similar reference,

characters being applied to like parts, and

the onlyv essential difference in construction a plurality of pack is that'the piston 32 has mg rings 97 therearound avoid leakage, and n thls at opposite ends to lnstance also the bore 93 is sliqhtl chan ed in contour or is longitudinally straight without enlarge ment at the one end orcother change of form, and it will be understood that either.

construction of bore 93 or 93 may be used as desired. g r

The two-way valve 36 in addition to the featuresalready described in connection with the piston-39 thereof is provided with a suitable casing 98 having a vertical bore 99 extending fully therethrough and-closed at the end by suitable cap glands 100. The bore 99 is intersected by cross-ways 10-1 and 102 respectively opening out through opposite sides of the casing, the pipe 37 having communication with the way 101 and the pipe 38 with the way 102, and the piston 39 in thisinstance is intermediately reduced, as

at 103, ass; up communieatien between and en a es theta) et piston inthe cylinder same in struc the ways or to close the one way off from the other, as shown by Fig. 8. This valve 36 I is supported by asuitable bracket 10% seforce the piston '39 u'pand close communication between the waysf10l and 102, and which is the position of the piston during the descent of the follower blocker platen 10 into the press box, and at which time also the pressure medium through pipe 37 past the check valve 39 and by way of pipe 35 into the valve 28 and thence by pipe 25 to the top. or head 2.6v of is a being fed the cylinder 8. When the follower block or 1 ascends to its full limit I screwelthe piston 39 is forced downwardly against the resist;-

ance of the springll until the reduced porplaten 10 .rises or tion of the piston 103 sets up communication between theways 10.1 and 102, and at such. time the pressure medium circulates 7 through the pipe 37 and valve 36. to the pipe 38 and then back tothe pressure generating medium, and at this time the press box may be. filled with cotton or other material and the pressure medium-is cut off from the top of thecylinder 8 inorder to avoidany tendencyv to operate the tramper mechanism or cause a descent of the follower block or platen 10 during thefilling operation The check'valve 39 operatesatthis time, or, under these Conditions, to. hold upthe tramper or T platen by maintaining the pressure above the same against the lower portion of the 8 as a static column,

the exhaust pipe 3st being cut offfrom cornmunication, thoughthe valve 28, withthe bottom of the cylinderS. .Toregulate the tension otthe spring 41 in the cage 42 a tulu'llar, nutoradjusting device 105 is EEO". Videdinthe bottom. of said cage, as clearly shown by Fig.7, and the upward movement of the piston 39 is limited by collar 106.

fixed tothe lower endof said piston 39r' for contact with the upper end wall of the cage 42, which depends from the lower cap or gland inclosure 100.

.As hereinbefore indicated, any suitable I means maybe provided for'supplying the press boxes with cotton or other material to be pressed or packed therein, and as the device is particularly adapted for halingcotton or controlling the action of a cotton tramper, means are illustrated particularly.

in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 for controlling the supply of cotton to the press hoxes at intervals, this particular supplycontrolling mechanism being omitted from Fig. l to avoid confusion in the illustration. Themechanism'shown for controlling the supply ofcotton to each preSS 3 box embodies in j the present instance a condensers; separator 19 Whichmay be The jointed ated by suitable of any approved type and has an outlet 108, as shown by Fig. 3, with suitable bat forming means 109 therein and consisting of a rotatable element 110 well known in the art and disposed on a shaft 111 having a drive gear 112 in mesh with a pinion 113' on a drive shaft 114 which may be operpower. Thegear 112 and pinion 113 are of the bevel type, as shown by Fig. 2, and on the shaft 111 adjacent to the gear 112 is a sprocket wheel 115 with a sprocket or chain belt 116 trained thereover and over a. sprocket wheel 117 on one end 'of a crank shaft 118, the sprocket wheel 117 being connected to and disengaged from the said shaft by means of a clutch 119 provided with a clutch shifting lever 120 depending to operating mechanism therefor as will be presently explained. The crank shaft 118 is held in suitable bearings secured on connecting frame members 121 extending from the rear timber or beam 6 upwardly to the adjacent side of the condenser or separator 107, and said shaft has an elongated crank 122 extending across a portion of the adjacent side of the condenser or separator 107 between the frame members 121. The chain belt 116 moves under the sprocket wheel 115 and engages a sprocket wheel 123 on a shaft 124 to actuate other mechanism within the condenser or separator 107. A fly wheel 122 is secured on the end of the shaft 118 opposite that carrying the sprocket wheel 117, said fly wheel having a weight or counterpoise 122 for a purpose hereinafter spe'cified.

Suspended from the crank 122 is a feeder 125 consisting of an open or slotted frame of suitable length and provided with bearing clips 126 at its upper side to fit over the crank 122 adjacent to collars 127 fixed on the crank and holding the feeder 125 in fixed operating position relatively to the crank. To the bottom or lower side of the feeder 125 a feeder apron 128 is movably attached and comprises" opposite side yielding straps 129 and a plurality of cross-slats 130, the opposite ends of the straps 129 being jointed to a support 131 secured to the under side of the rear timber or beam 6, as clearly shown by Fig. 3, said support 131 preferably being in the form of a transverse shaft or bar mounted in suitable bearings therefor. connections at opposite ends of the feeder apron 128 and the joints between the feeder 125 and the crank 122 permit the said feeder and apron to have free movement in response to the actuation thereof by the crank 1220f the shaft 118, and the feeder is alternately caused to depress and rise or elevate and carries the feeder apron therewith.

Below the feeder 125 and apron 128 a chute or slide 132 is mounted and runs from "a point below the outlet 108 of the condenser or separator 107 downwardly and forwardly to a point over the rear side of the press box 5, the chute or slide 132 being fixed and having its lower end at such elevation above the press box that the latter may be readily shifted without engaging or jamming the. said chute or slide; The cotton passes down from the outlet 108 of the condenser or separator onto the chute or slide 132, and during the operation of feeding the cotton to the press box over the chute or slide 132 the shaft 118 is regularly rotated and the crank 122 thereof is similarly rotated, thus vertically reciprocating the feeder 125 and cansing the rear or upper edge of the apron 128 to pass downwardly behind the cotton'de livered onto the chute or slide 132 and force the cotton downwardly and then forwardly over the open end of the press box 5. When the press box becomes full the cotton will be pushed straight across the top portion of the box and the cotton therein and will actuate the dependinggate 11. The fly wheel 122 performs the usual function of this class of devices relatively to maintaining a regularity of movement of the shaft 118, and the balance weight 122 operates to hold up the flexible apron 128 to form a receptacle for the cotton fed from the condenser when the tramper or platen is descending in the bale or press ox.

The feeding mechanism or the devices just explained controlling the supply of cotton to the press box operates at intervals or when the press box is in position to be filled, and the actuation of this mechanism or the supply de'vi'cesis controlled by the clutch 119 through the clutch or shifting lever 120. This clutch or shifting lever 120 is intermediately fulcrumed, as at 133, see Fig. 2, gages an upstanding arm 13-1 of a bell crank lever 135 having a lower arm 136 extending through a slotted guide 137 as clearly shown by Figs. 2 and i, the free end of the lower arm 136 of this bell crank being supplied with a counterpoise weight 138 which. is heavy enough to throw the clutch 119 in such manner as to connect the sprocket wheel 117 to the shaft 118 and thereby set up a rotation of this shaft. Projecting upwardly from the top of the follower block or platen 10 close to the point where the trip bar 16 is secured to said block or platen is a vertical striker arm 139 so arranged that it will engage and elevate the inner free'end of the lower arm 136 of the bell crank lever 135 and through the arm 1341 of this lever and the shifting lever 120 the clutch 119' is thrown to connect the sprocket wheel 117 with the shaft 118 and thereby start the feeder 125 and apron 128 and cause the cotton to be fed downwardly over the chute or slide 132 into the press box. The moment that the press box is filled and-the gate 11 has been forced outwardly, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3, by the overfiowoit' cotton the, follower block or platen 10 is caused to descend by mechanism hereinbefore explained and the arm 139 is released from engagement with the lower arm 136 of the bell crank 185, theweight 138 operat ing to bring the arm 136 of the bell crank downwardlywith sutlicient force to shift the clutch 119 through the lever 120 and bell crank arm 13% to disengage the sprocket wheel 117 from the shaft 118, and as soon as this disengagement ensues the said shaft 118 will cease to rotate andthe crank 122become inactive. the feeder125 and apron 128 remaining in immovable position'until the follower block or platen10 again ascends to its full upper limit and the arm 139 engages the free weighted end of the arm 136 of the bell cranklever 135, when the feed of cotton over the chute or slide 132 will again "ensue.

When the improved mechanism is set for the operation of filling the press box 5' thereunder the followerblock orplaten 10 is fully raised and the lever '-l3 has been operated through contact with the tappet screw atelat the top of the follower block or platen 10 to shift the piston 39 of the circulation controlling valve 36 to open up communication between the pipes 37 and 38 and whereby the pressure fluid medium circulates backwardly and forwardly through the pressure generating meansand the said pressure fluid medium will'not at this time pass upwardly through the pipe 35 to the valve 28 or will not have any circulation in view of the fact that the column of the pressure fluid medium will then'be established through the pipe valve 28 and pipe 29 and cylinder 8 to maintain the rod or stem 9 and the follower block or platen 10 in fully elevated position, and at such time the spring 58 on the shaft or rod 51 will be compressed by the slide sleeveor box '57 owing to the fact that the lower arm (36 of the bell crank 65 will have been engaged and eleated by the trip block 18 and the longer arm'titv of said bell crank will have been thrown over and exerted a pushing action on the link or connecting rod 63, and the inner end. of the shaft or rod will then rest in the recessed portion 85 of the trip dog 81, as shown by Fig. 6, and as a result the shaftI-fi will be thrown over and the crank arms 48 and 49 carried therewith, the crank arm 48 thereby shifting the link or connecting rod in an outward direction and correspondingly moving the piston rod or stem and the piston 32- The lever 50 is also swung so as to bring the roller 52 at the lower end thereof in line with the upper surface of the wear or contact plate 15 on the upper edge of the gravitating gate 11, and this gate thenswings inwardly or into normal position and causes an engage ment of the said roller with the contact or wear plate 15 or upper edge of the gate,

and the parts are'thus held'inset position,

simultaneously set in or platen -10 reaches 'its highest point of elevation through the action of thebell crank lever 135 which is engaged by the contact or trip arm 139 and the shifting'lever 120 and by meansot which'the clutch 119 is thrown to set up a 'rotative engagement of the sprocket wheelll? with the shai t 118. he niomentthat the shaft 118 starts to operate the cotton is fed or permitted to pass downwardly over the chute orslide 132 into'the press 'O1"l)Cale, box '5, and when the cotton reaches the top of the said boxand overflows it acks upagainst'the gravitating gate 11 and forces the latter outwardly, thereby disengaging the roller 52 at the lower end oi' the lever 50 from the contact or wear plate 15 and relea es the set mechanism (:(mtrolling the actuation of the of the pressbon with traniper and the spring 58 which has been v the shaft 45 and the arm as; thereby shitting the piston otthe valve 28 so as to set up communication betweenthe pipes 85 and '25 and open the exhaust through the valve 28 by way of the pipe'29lrom the lower end of the cylinder '8 and to descend and the piston oi? the valve 36-is automatically shifted by the spring-41 to close communication between the pipes 37 and S8 and whe'reby'the pressure medium flows through the pipe 37 to andfldirectly upward through the pipe -"lhis reverse or inwardmovement oi? the shaft or rod compresses the spring 59, and this is' accoin plished through the descent of the follower block or platen 10,trip bar 16 and trip block 1'7 which engages the arm 66 oil" the bell crank 65 and al most simultaneously the projection 19 of the said blockl? strikes the free end of the dog 81- and throws the same downwardly out 01 theway so that the shaft or rod 5% may move inwardly, it being understood that when the arm 6911f the bell crank lever (35 is depressed an inward pulling action will be set up on the slide sloere 57 through the link or connecting rod 63 attached to the longer armB l. of the said bell crank 65. This compression of the spring 59 is effected just'as the follower block or platen 10 reaches its lowest stroke limit in the press or baling box 5 and immediately the compressed spring 59 exerts its immedia ately the follower block orplaten 10 starts I or supply of the follower block or platen for tension on the shaft or rod 54 to reverse the movement of the follower block or platen 10 the shaft is rocked through the crank arm l9 attached to the shaft or rod 54: and the crank arm 18 moves inwardly and draws on the link or connecting rod 53 and shifts the piston of the valve 28 so as to shut off the feed of the pressure medium through the pipe and open up this. pipe to the xhaust pipe 3 1 and at the same time establish feeding communication between the pipe and the pipe 29, and by such disposition of parts the follower block platen 10 is quickly elevated and when it reaches the limit of its upward stroke the piston 39 of the valve 36 is again shifted to open up communication between the pipes 37 and 38, and the automatic mechanism controlling the descent as well as the elevation of the follower block or platen 10 is set for causing the said block or platen to descend at a proper interval or after the press or bale box is again filled and the roller 52 at the lower end of the lever is again brought into bearing with the contact or wear plate 15 by gravitation of the gate 11 to normal position.

it will be understood that when the fol lower block or platen 10 descends the feed cotton ceases as hereinbefore explained, but immediately the said block or platen rises the cotton is permitted to run or flow into the press or bale box. The trip block 18 resets the mechanism or effects a compression of the spring 58 for subsequent descent of the follower block or platen 10 by engaging the under edge of the arm 66 of the bell crank lever and correspondingly shifting the slide or box 57 on he shaft or rod 5 and also operating the dog 81 to place the same in such position as to provide a safety means as well as a cushion acting against the compression springs on the shaft or rod 5 1 and as shown by Fig. 1. As hereinbefore explained, when the press or bale boxes 5 are shifting and the strain rod 78 is detached and attached to the successive boxes the cut-off comprising the plate or extended terminal 7 5 of the lever will move into the bore of the bearing 60 to obviate tie least movement of the shaft or rod 54% in an outward direction, and this automatic locking means will be restored to normal position when the strain rod 7 8 is attached through the medium of the eye 7 9 at the lower end thereof with the hooks 80 on the successive boxes brought into positionunder "h follower block or platen 10.

The improved mechanism also embodies means for closing the lower end of the chute or slide 132 during the time that the follower block or platen 10 is depressed in the press or baling box 5, and in many structures a gate or closure element is fixed to the accomplishing this occlusion of the lower end of the chute or slide 132. In the present instance, however, a gate 1&0 is secured to the follower block or platen 10 and is antifrictionally and slidingly mounted adjacent to the rear timber or beam 6 and under control of the said follower block or platen and descending into and ascending above the press or bale box with the block or platen. "When the gate is lowered with the follower block or platen it shuts elf any cotton that may tend to flow over or fall from the end of the chute or slide 132. The gate 1&0 may be supported or held independently of the follower block or platen 10 by being mounted to slide downwardly with the block or platen until the edge of the bale or press box is reached, when said gate will stop and close off .the end of the slide or chute 132 and the lock or platen continues to descend, and when the block or platen rises and reaches the edge of the press box it picks up and raises the gate therewith to clear the end of the slide or chute 132 and permits the cotton to flow or fall into the press or baling box.

The circulation controlling or bypass valve 36 and the pressure medium controlling valve 28 together with the circulating pipes and the alternately acting feed and exhaust pipes between the valve 28 and the cylinder 8 application and the valves particularly claimed or covered independently of the automatically operating mechanism between the valve 28 and the tramper organization. The valves 28 and 36 are shown and described in this application to illustrate a full practical organization in accordance with the features of the invention, and said valves will be included in the appended claims only in so far as to cover a complete combination of elements.

What is claimed is:

1. 1n operating mechanism for a tramper baling press including a baling box, a power cylinder having a reciprocating rod therein, a tramper block or platen secured to the said rod, a pressure medium circuit including a valve connected to theupper and lower ends of the cylinder and having an exhaust outlet and a longitudinally sliding piston to control the feed and exhaust of the pres-sure medium relatively to the said cylinder, acirculation controlling valve cooperating with the said valve connected to the cylinder, automatically operating mechanism connected to the piston of said cylinder valve and actuated and set by the descent and ascent of the tramper block and platen, and automatically operating means for releasing said mechanism and the cylinder valve when the baling box is filled.

2. ln operating mechanism for a tramper baling press including a baling box, a tramper including a pressure cylinder for causwill be embodied in a separateing the alternate descent and ascent of the tramper platen relatively to the baling box,

a pressure medium circuit including a cylin der valve having communication with the upper and lower portions ofthe said pressure cylinder and a GllCllliLtlOIi valve connected to and cooperating With the cylinder valve and pressure circuit for modifying the circulation of the pressure medium relatively to the cylinder valve, automatically operatingmechanism connected to the cylinder valve for modifying theaction of the latter, and. means movable With the tramper platen to alternately-release and set the said mechanism.

8. in operating mechanism for a tramper baling press including a baling box, a tramperorganization including a pressure cylinder operative for causing the alternate tramper platen the pressure medium relatively to the latter valve, and means movable with the tramper platen to alternately release and set the said mechanism. i 7

4. In operating mechanism for a tramper baling press, a tramper organization including a pressure cylinder operable for causing the alternate descent and ascent 1 of the tramper platenrelatively to a baling box, a baliii-g box disposed under the tramper organization, a gravitatin gate suspended over-the front portion of the bali'ng box, a pressure medium circuit including a valve connected to the upper and lower portions of the cylinder, and automatically operating mechanism connected to thevalvefor modifying theaction of the latter and including release means engaging the gate, said releasemeans being thrown out of engagement With the gate by the pressure of the overflow cotton in the balin-g box.

51in an automatic mechanism for a tramper' baling press, a tramper organization including means for causing the alternate'descentand ascent ofthe tramper platen, a baling box mounted under the tramper organization, a gravitating gate depei'iding over the front! portion, of i the ba ling box and movable by the overflow cotton in the latter, and automatically operating mechanism associated With the tramper organization for controllingthe actuation ofthe' latter and including a lock device to engage the upper portion of the gate to holdthe said mechanism for instant operation when the lock device is released and hold the said mechanism set for the upper portion of from the upper-portion of the gate by the overflow of cotton in the baling box.

6. In an automatic; mechanism for a I tramper baling press, a tramper organization including a pressure cylinder for causnigthe alternate descent and ascent of the tramper platen relatively to a bahngbox,

a. pressure medium circuit including a valve connected to the upper and lower portions of the pressure cylinder, a 'baling box mounted under the tramper organization, a gi 'avitating gate depending over the front portion of the baling box and movable from a normal position by the overflow cotton in the box, automatically operating mechanism connectedto the said valve for modifying the action thereof and including a lock device to engage the upper end ofthe gate tion, and means movable With the tramper platen to alternately release and'set thesaid mechanism. p

In an automatic mechanism for .a tramper baling press, a tramper organization including a pressure cylinder for causoperaing the alternate descent and'ascent of the tramper platen relatively to a baling box, a pressure medium circuit including a valve connected to the upper and lower portions of the pressure 7 cylinder, a baling box mounted under thetramper organization, a gravitating gate depending over the front portion of the baling box and movable from aznormal position bythe overflow cotton in the box, and automatically operating mecha-,

nism connected [to the said valve for modifying the action thereof and including lock device to engage the upper edge of the gate and hold the said mechanism set for operation. p

8. In operating mechanism for a tramper baling press, a tramper organization including a pressure cylinder for causing the. al-

ternate descent and ascent of the tramper platen, a baling. box disposed under the said tramper organization, a pressure medium circuit including a cylinder controlling valve connected to the upperand lower portions ofthe pressure cylinder and a circulation controlling valve connected to the cylinder controlling valve, means operable by the overflow of the baling box to liberate a part'ofth'e saidmechanism and modify the action iofuthe valve, and, means movable Withthe tramper platen to control the actuation of the said cylinder controlling valve.

9. In an automatic mechanism for a tramper baling press, atramper organization includin a pressure cylinder operable for causing the alternate descent and ascent of the tramp er. platen, a baling box disposed under the said tramper organization,

a pressure ;1nediu1n circuit including a cylinder controlling valve connected to the upper and lower portions of "thepressure cylinder and a circulation controlling valve connected to the said cylinder controlling valve, automatically operating mechanism connected to the valve for modifying the action of the latter and including a movable lock device, and means operable by the overflow of the baling box and engaged by the said lock device when the tramper platen is elevated to hold the said automatically operating mechanism in set condition.

10. In an automatic mechanism for a tramper baling press, a tramper organization including a pressure cylinder operable for causing the alternate descent and ascent of the tramper platen, a baling box disposed under the said tramper organization and having a swinging movement, a pressure medium circuit including a valve connected to the upper and lower portions of the cylinder, a bypass valve also included in the said pressure medium circuit and provided with shifting means for modifying the ways thereof, a baling press holding means to maintain the box against movement during the operation of the platen, automatically operating mechanism connected to the valve of the pressure medium circuit which in turn is connected to the upper and lower portions of the pressure cylinder for modifying the operation of said valve, a. locking mechanism for preventing a movement of a part of the automatically operating mechanism when the said holding means for the press box is released, and means movable with the tramper platen for setting and releasing the said automatically operating mechanism and the shifting means for the bypass valve.

11. In an automatic mechanism for a tramper baling press, a tramper organization including a pressure cylinder operable for causing the alternate descent and ascent of the tramper platen, a baling box disposed under the said tramper organization, apressure medium circuit including a valve connected to the upper and lower portions of the cylinder and also a bypass valve provided with shifting means for modifying the ways thereof, automatically operating mechanism connected to the valve for the cylinder to modify the action of said valve, and means movable with the tramper platen to control the actuation of the said valve connected to the cylinder and also the shifting means of the bypass valve.

12. In an automatic mechanism for a tramper baling press, a tramper organization including a pressure cylinder operable for causing the alternate descent and ascent of the tramper platen, a baling box disposed under said tramper organization, a pressure medium circuit including a pressure medium supply control valve connected to the upper and lower portions of the cylinder, automatically operating mechanism connected to trip said valve and having a trip device to hold the same in set condition, and means gravitatingly depending over the baling box and normally vertically disposed and movable by the overflow of the baling box, the said device engaging the means depending over the baling box when the latter is in normalcondition to hold the said mechanism against movement during the filling of the box.

13. In an automatic mechanism for a tramperbaling press, a tramper organization operable for causing the alternate descent and ascent of the tramper platen, a baling box disposed under said tramper organization, automatically operating mechanism for controlling the actuation of the tramper organization and including a trip means, and including means depending over the baling box and operable by the overflow of the latter, the trip means depending from the said automatically operating mechanism and loosely engaging and resting at intervals on the upper edge of the said gravitating means to maintain the said automatically operating mechanism in condition for immediate actuation'when the trip means is released by the said gravitating means adjacent to the baling box.

let. In an automatic mechanism for a tramper baling press, a tramper organization operable for causing the alternate descent and ascent of the tramper platen, a

baling box disposed and mounted to swing under the said tramper organization and to be replaced by a. similar box, automatically operating mechanism connected to the tramper organization for controlling the actuation of the latter, a retention rod separably attached to the baling box, and an automatically operating safety lock mechanism connected to said rod and having a portion thereof movable into the path of operation of a part of said automatically op-- erating mechanism to movement when the baling box is released and swung away and until replaced by another similar box.

15. In' an automatic mechanism for a tramper baling press, a tramper organization including devices for causing the alternate descent and ascent of the tramper platen, a baling box disposed under said tramper organization, automatically operating mechanism associated with the said tramper organization and comprising a shiftable member engaged by opposed springs and means for alternately compressing said springs to effect reverse operations of the tramper organization, and means movable with the tramper platen for changing the position of the means for alternately compressing the said springs.

hold the latter against tramper baling press, a tramper organizamechanism connected to said valve and comprising a shiftable member engaged by opposed springs and slldlng means for alternately compressing said springs to eifect reverse operations of the valve and tramper organization, and means movable with the tramper platen for engaging a portion of the said mechanism to alternately compress the said springs and set the mechanism in condition for reverse operations.

17. In an automatic mechanism for a tramper baling press, a tramper organization including a pressure cylinder operable for causing the alternate descent and ascent of the tramper platen, a baling boX disposed under said tramper organization and mounted to swing and be replaced by another similar box, a pressure medium circuit including a cylinder controlling valve connected to the upper and lower portions of the cylinder and a circulation controlling valve connected to the cylinder controlling valve, automatically operating mechanism connected to said cylinder controlling valve to modify the action of the latter, mecha nism for regularly feeding cotton into the baling box, and devices carried by the tramper platen and operable to control the actuation of the cotton feeding mechanism and the said automatically operating mechanism connected to the cylinder controlling valve the cotton feeding mechanism automatically ceasing to operate when the tramper platen descends and instantly thrown into operation when the tramper platen ascends to its highest elevation.

18. In an automatic mechanism for a tramper baling press, a tramper organization operable for causing the alternate ascent and descent of the baling box disposed under said tramper organization, automatically operating mechanism for controlling the actuation of the tramper organization, a cotton supply means, a chute between said supply means and the top of the baling box, a crank shaft having a weighted balance wheel and 0p erable from the cotton supply means, a flexitramper platen, a

ble apron movably attached to and actuated toward and from the chute to control the feed of cotton over the latter, the weight of the balance wheel operating to cause the flexible apron to form a receptacle to hold the cotton against movement off the chute when the tramper platen is descending into the baling box, and mechanism interposed between and cooperating with the said crank shaft and the automatically operating mechanism for controlling the actuation of the tramper organization to start and check the movement of the crank shaft when the tramper platen is above the top of the baling box and when said platen is descending into the box.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SEVERIN J OHANSEN. Witnesses:

L. R. VAUGHN, J. F. HUMPHREY.

Uopics of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, 13.0. 

